Free Hirak's Political Prisoners

The death on 28 October 2016 of Mohcine Fikri -- a young fishmonger crushed while protesting the confiscation of his merchandise by officials in Al-Hoceima, a town of the region of northern Morocco known as the Rif -- triggered a popular movement which has been shaking Morocco ever since. Over the past year, a vast number of Moroccans have come together in the Hirak, a peaceful movement calling for social justice and economic development.

The response of the Moroccan authorities has been brutal, killing another young man, arresting over 400 protesters, with over 300 of them kept in detention, including 15 minors and 7 journalists who were covering the events. The Hirak’s political prisoners, including key figures of the movement such as Nasser Zefzafi, are facing charges that could lead to long jail sentences, up to the death penalty.

The Moroccans are standing up for social justice. It is their inalienable right to protest peacefully. We hold the Moroccan authorities responsible for the lives of the detainees and demand the immediate release of all Hirak’s prisoners and cessation of the repression of the popular protest.